Data communication apparatus and data communication method

ABSTRACT

There is provided a data communication apparatus comprises interface means for connecting with a local area network (LAN), reception means for receiving data from a transmission side, notification means for notifying to a receiver on the LAN that the reception means received the data, via the interface means, and management means for managing the data received by the reception means, for each notification destination to which the notification is performed by the notification means, wherein the management means manages the reception data corresponding to the plural-time reception by the reception means, and the notification means collectively notifies that the reception data corresponding to the plural-time reception which data are managed by the management means were received by the reception means. Thus, it can be improved communication efficiency and communicating traffic even in a case where a number of transmission to the same destination and a number of reception to the same destination are performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to data communication apparatus andmethod for sending or transmitting data to a terminal connected to alocal area network (LAN).

[0003] 21. Related Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus has been remarkablydeveloped on the basis of international standards in the field ofcommunication by International Telecommunications Union (ITU). That is,in the initial stage, the facsimile apparatus had been based on initialinternational standards Group 1 and Group 2. However, recently thefacsimile apparatus has been based on an internal standard Group 3 (tobe referred as G3 hereinafter) and thus developed all over the world.Especially, a G3 facsimile apparatus which is most popular at present isdefined by ITU Recommendations T.4, T.30, T.5 and T.6 (previous CCITTRecommendations), and it is being planned that the G3 facsimileapparatus is further standardized with new functions in the future.

[0005] In recent years, according to a popularization of a personalcomputer and the like, it has been desired to connect the facsimileapparatus to a local area network (to be referred as LAN hereinafter)which connects a number of personal computers. By connecting thefacsimile apparatus to the LAN, document data or the like produced bythe personal computer on the LAN can be transmitted via the facsimileapparatus to a partner's apparatus in response to a transmission requestfrom such the personal computer, and data received by the facsimileapparatus can be transferred to the personal computer on the LAN.

[0006] However, conventionally, when the facsimile apparatus receivesthe transmission request from the personal computer on the LAN, such thefacsimile apparatus immediately transmits the data to the partner'sapparatus. Further, when the facsimile apparatus receives the data fromthe partner's apparatus, such the facsimile apparatus transfers areception notification or the received data to the personal computer onthe LAN every time the data reception is performed. Therefore, there hasbeen a problem that, if a number of transmission to the same destinationor a number of reception to the same destination are performed,communication efficiency is seriously degraded. Especially, there hasbeen a problem that communication traffic in the LAN is seriouslydegraded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide datacommunication apparatus and method which eliminate the above-mentionedproblems.

[0008] An another object of the present invention is to provide datacommunication apparatus and method which can improve efficiency in useof a line.

[0009] A further another object of the present invention is to providedata communication apparatus and method which can reduce a user's loadof a terminal on a local area network (LAN).

[0010] A further another object of the present invention is to providedata communication apparatus and method which can perform a collectivedata transfer for each receiver on the LAN.

[0011] The above and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing schematic structure of afacsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a view showing network structure in a case where thefacsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is connected;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a communication procedureaccording to the first embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process flow of series deliverynotification control according to the first embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process flow of series deliverycontrol according to the first embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process flow of seriestransmission control according to the first embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a view showing structure of a JPEG data stream;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a view for explaining each marker included in the JPEGdata stream;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a view showing structure of a comment marker;

[0021]FIGS. 10A to 10C are views showing data structure of an IPaddress;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a view showing data structure of an MAC address;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing structure of a TCP/IPprotocol;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a process flow of comment markeranalysis control;

[0025]FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a communication procedure accordingto a second embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 15 is a view showing a BFT data format;

[0027]FIG. 16 is a view for explaining contents of each frame code inthe BFT data format;

[0028]FIG. 17 is a view showing file data included in the BFT dataformat;

[0029]FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process flow of seriestransmission control according to the second embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a process flow of seriesnotification control according to the second embodiment; and

[0031]FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a process flow of series deliverycontrol according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] (First Embodiment)

[0033] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention willbe explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing schematic structure of afacsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0035] A CPU 101 is a system control unit which controls the apparatusentirely.

[0036] A ROM 102 stores a control program of the CPU 101. A RAM 103which is composed of an SRAM and the like stores data concerning programcontrol change or the like. Further, a setting value registered by anoperator, management data for the apparatus, buffer data for variousworks and the like are stored in the RAM 103. An image memory 104 whichis composed of a DRAM and the like includes a buffer memory for storingcolor image data corresponding to at least eight lines which data isrepresented by R, G and B color components, a buffer memory for storingcolor image data corresponding to at least two lines which data isrepresented by C, M, Y and K color components, and a communicationbuffer corresponding to a partial page in an ECM (error correction mode)procedure defined by ITU-T Recommendations T.30 respectively in itsindependent areas. Further, the image memory 104 includes areas whichare used to classify the image data by a partner's telephone number anda client.

[0037] A resolution conversion process unit 105 controls resolutionconversion such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of raster data.

[0038] A binary data encode/decode process unit (white/black codec) 106and a multivalue data encode/decode process unit (color codec) 107perform encode and decode processes of the image data managed by thefacsimile apparatus. The multivalue data encode/decode process unit 107performs encode and decode in accordance with a known JPEG (jointphotographic expert group) standard.

[0039] In order to introduce a JPEG encode system into a G3-standardcommunication system, there has been provided ITU-T RecommendationsT.80. Such the JPEG encode system has been developed to effectivelycompress halftone image data in which one pixel is represented bymultivalue (e.g., eight bits) data. However, in a general base lineprocess, not same as a conventional MMR encode system, it has been knownthat the JPEG encode system is a non-reversible encode system. This isbecause the base line process in the JPEG encode system performscompression after executing an approximating process of raw image data(i.e., original image). Further, according to this recommendation,communication of a color image or the like of which information quantityis so large has become frequent. Furthermore, this recommendation takesaccount of the communication with the computer, so that it can beperformed based on this recommendation the communication includingsymbolized data which is easier to be managed than the raw image data.

[0040] A modem (modulation/demodulation unit) 108 performs modulationand demodulation of transmission and reception signals of the facsimileapparatus. An NCU (network control unit) 109 has a function fortransmitting a selection signal (i.e., dial pulse or tone dialer) to acommunication line (PSTN) 118. The NCU 109 performs an automaticreception operation by detecting a calling sound and a line controloperation.

[0041] A scanner 111 which is composed of a CS image sensor, an originalfeed mechanism and the like optically reads an original image toseparate it into RGB components and then convert an each-color pixelinto electrical image data (eight-bit multivalue data). The convertedimage data is subjected to a correction process by an image process unit110 and then output as high-resolution image data.

[0042] A console unit 112 which is composed of a keyboard and the likeis used by the operator to perform various input operations.

[0043] A line buffer 113 is a line buffer which is used in case ofperforming transfer control of the image data.

[0044] A LAN interface 114 is an interface which is to connect to a LAN117. In this case, it is assumed that the LAN 117 in the presentembodiment is a network according to a known TCP/IP protocol.

[0045] If a multivalue signal representing each of CMYK colors in areception image or file data is input, a printer 115 (e.g., an ink-jetprinter) converts each color data into binary data to perform colorprint. A printer formatter 116 analyzes a printer description languageto convert it into the image data, in case of printing the file datafrom a work station or the like.

[0046]FIG. 2 is a view showing structure of a network to which thefacsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is connected.

[0047] In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes the facsimile apparatusshown in FIG. 1. The facsimile apparatus 201 can transmit the data sentvia the LAN 117 to a partner-side apparatus via the communication line118, or can transfer the data received from the partner's apparatus viathe communication line 118 to an other apparatus via the LAN 117.Further, the facsimile apparatus 201 can transmit and receive variousinformation to and from the apparatus on the LAN 117. Reference numeral202 denotes a server machine which is a computer for managing the LAN117. Also, the server machine 202 functions as a file server formanaging files on the LAN. Reference numerals 203 to 205 respectivelydenote client machines which are connected to the LAN 117. Each of theclient machines 203 to 205 can transmit, after forming or producingvarious data (document data, image data, figure data and the like), theproduced data or can receive various data. Further, the client machines203 to 205 can transmit or receive various information to or from otherapparatuses on the LAN 117.

[0048]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a communication protocol in thepresent embodiment.

[0049]FIG. 3 shows an example wherein the communication is performed byusing a JPEG data stream which includes the image data corresponding totwo pages respectively consisting of the two partial pages for the firstpage and one partial page for the second page. Although structure of theJPEG data stream will be later described in detail, such the structureessentially includes a comment marker and other markers.

[0050] In a case where the facsimile apparatus communicates with thepartner's apparatus via the communication line 118, according to theITU-T Recommendations, it is declared by using NSF and NSS signals toperform the communication by using the multivalue data (JPEG datastream) as well as transmitting the DIS and DCS signals.

[0051] In the present embodiment, since only the comment marker in theJPEG data stream of the first page is utilized, there is provided thestructure that the JPEG data steam of the second page or following pagedoes not include any comment marker.

[0052] FIGS. 7 to 9 are views each showing the structure of the JPEGdata stream.

[0053]FIG. 7 shows the JPEG data stream entirely, and includes eachmarker and image data (JPEG encode data).

[0054]FIG. 8 shows kind, code word and meaning of each marker includedin the JPEG data stream.

[0055]FIG. 9 shows structure of the comment marker. In FIG. 9, referencesymbol Com denotes a marker representing a comment start. Referencesymbol Lc denotes a marker representing a comment segment table in 16bits, and its allowable value is within a range of 2 to 65535 (decimalnotation). Reference symbol Cm_(i) denotes a comment byte represented ineight bits, and its allowable value is within a range of 0 to 255(decimal notation). In the present embodiment, a user name and ID(individual information such as IP address, MAC address or the like) ofeach client connected to the LAN 117 has been previously set in thecomment byte (Cm_(i)) within the comment marker, and the set data isanalyzed.

[0056]FIGS. 10A to 10C are views showing data structure of the IPaddress. The IP address which represents an address of a network segmentis 32-bit address data consisting of a class identifier, a networkaddress and a host address. The structure of the IP address differs in aclass (i.e., A, B and C three classes). The class A (FIG. 10A) is usedin a large-scale LAN (i.e., national-scale network), the class B (FIG.10B) is used in a medium-scale LAN (i.e., network within company oruniversity), and a class C (FIG. 10C) is used in a small-scale LAN. Thenumber of bits constituting the network address and the host addressdiffers in each class. Further, the network address represents a segmentsuch as Ethernet or the like to which a host (terminal) is connected,and the host address is used to discriminate the host in each segment.

[0057] For example, in a case where the network address is 129.80 (classB) and the host address is 24.31, the IP address is (129.80.24.31) andactual data is (10000001 01010000 00011000 00011111).

[0058]FIG. 11 is a view showing data structure of the MAC address. TheMAC address is an address which is allocated inherently to an equipmentconnected to the LAN and managed according to IEEE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers). In the MAC address, upper 24 bitsconstitute a maker discrimination code, and lower 24 bits are allocatedto the apparatus in a maker. Usually, in the lower 24 bits, upper 12bits are allocated to a device series address and lower 12 bits areallocated to a device single-body inherent address (serial number).

[0059]FIG. 12 is a view showing packet structure of data used in thecommunication protocol according to the TCP/IP.

[0060] Reference numeral 1203 denotes the MAC address (six bytes)representing a data transmission destination, and reference numeral 1204denotes the MAC address (six bytes) representing a data transmissionsource. This MAC address corresponds to a data link layer.

[0061] Reference numeral 1206 denotes an IP header which corresponds toa protocol of a network layer. In this IP header 1206, an address foraccessing the device on the network is set, and further an IP address1206 a of the data transmission source and an IP address 1206 b of thedata transmission destination are stored.

[0062] Reference numeral 1207 denotes a TCP header which corresponds toa transport layer for defining securement of data transfer reliability.

[0063] Reference numeral 1208 denotes a data portion in which the imagedata, command data and the like are stored.

[0064] Hereinafter, an operation (to be referred as series deliverynotification control hereinafter) will be explained. In the seriesdelivery notification control, each client on the LAN 117 is notified ofa message that there is the reception image destined for such theclient, in order to collectively deliver (by a series delivery) to thesame client the image data (i.e., image data received based on othercall after disconnecting the communication line 118) which correspondsto a plurality of communications and was received via the communicationline 118.

[0065]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process flow of such the seriesdelivery notification control. This flow chart represents a flow ofcontrol performed by the CPU 101 on the basis of the program stored inthe ROM 102.

[0066] Initially, in a step S401, it is judged whether or not thereception image data (a reception notification is not yet performed tothe client on the LAN 117) has been stored in the image memory 104. Inthis case, such a judgment is performed at a predetermined interval. Forexample, by observing elapsing of a predetermined time or a remainingcapacity of the image memory 104, the judgment is performed every timean observed quantity reaches a predetermined quantity or the image isreceived predetermined times. Then, if it is recognized that thereception image has been stored in the image memory 104, the flowadvances to a step S402 to start a delivery control of the receptionimage.

[0067] Subsequently, in a step S403, the comment marker in the datareceived from a transmission station is analyzed. However, in thetransmission and reception (i.e., exchange) of the signal to and fromthe transmission station on the basis of the protocol shown in FIG. 3,it is assumed to be notified to the transmission station that thecommunication is performed by the NSF and NSS signals with using theJPEG data stream. In this case, the reception data has the structureshown in FIG. 7, and the comment marker is included in such thestructure. That is, the comment marker has been stored as the data inthe comment byte having the structure shown in FIG. 9. In the presentembodiment, at the transmission source, the address of the client on theLAN in a reception side and the like have been stored in the commentbyte in the comment marker, in accordance with a predetermined format.The LAN in the present embodiment accords to the TCP/IP protocol, andthe address of the client on the LAN in the reception side is the IPaddress representing the address on the LAN or the MAC address of theequipment connected to the LAN. In the step S403, the address of thedata stored in the comment byte of the comment marker is analyzed andthen converted into a format of the IP address or the MAC address.

[0068] Subsequently, in a step S404, the analyzed comment marker isjudged. That is, if it is judged there is a client designation in thecomment marker, the flow advances to a step S405 to set the IP addressand the MAC address used for accessing the terminal on the LAN inaccordance with the comment marker designated at the transmissionsource, and to store the set addresses in the RAM 103. On the otherhand, if it is judged there is no client designation in the commentmarker, the flow advances to a step S411 to judge as a partner-unknownarea (e.g., station-stopping reception). Then, a client machine of amanager is designated and its address is set to be stored in the RAM103. However, in such the case where there is no client designation, anunnecessary direct-mail communication and the like may be prevented bycancelling the reception image. In this case, the manager is a networkmanager, a reception information manager or the like which has beenpreviously determined in the reception side, and its address (i.e.,name) has been stored in the RAM 103. However, the plurality ofaddresses can be registered even in such a case.

[0069] In a step S406, a series image file for series delivering thereception image to the terminal (i.e., client) on the designated LAN 117is formed on the basis of the above set addresses. In the series imagefile, the reception images corresponding to the plurality ofcommunications are collectively combined with others with classifyingthem into each client. The series image file has the structure accordingto the protocol of the connected LAN 117. In the present embodiment, theseries image file has the structure according to the TCP/IP protocol.The series image file is composed of the MAC address, the IP header, theTCP header, a data portion and the like. The data portion corresponds toan application layer. Further, in order to store the delivered imagefile at a position corresponding to the designated address (i.e.,address which was set in the step S405 or S411) on the memory of theserver machine 202, there are provided two files, i.e., a command datafile for storing the information such as the designated address and thelike and an image data file for storing the image data. Then, these twofiles are sent to the server machine 202 with correlating them eachother. A control in the server machine 202 side for storing the file ata predetermined position on the memory is performed such that the servermachine 202 comes to be an active state by an application software onthe server machine 202 on the basis of the information of the commandfile and subsequently the data of the received image data file is storedat the predetermined position on the memory. In case of transmitting thefile, the address of the server machine 202 is stored at the address towhich the file is sent, and the address of the facsimile apparatus 201is stored at the address from which the file is sent. Then, if it isjudged that the formation of series image file terminates for all of thereception images within the image memory 104 in such a manner as above(step S407), the series image file in which the reception imagescorresponding to the plurality of communications are collectivelycombined with others with classifying them into the above each address(address which was set in the step S405 or S411) is sent to the LAN 117via the LAN interface unit 104 of the facsimile apparatus 201 and thentransferred to the server machine 202 (step S408).

[0070] After the series image file was sent to the server machine 202, areception notification mail is formed for notifying that the receptionwas performed, to the client corresponding to the designated address(i.e., address which was set in the step S405 or S411) (step S409). Thereception notification mail is composed of communication information anda message informing that the reception was performed which were formedaccording to a predetermined format. In the communication information,information concerning a reception time of each reception image,reception partner's information, information concerning the number ofreceptions and the like corresponding to the plurality of communicationsare combined with others. Then, the reception notification mail istransmitted to the terminal corresponding to the designated terminal(i.e., address which was set in the step S405 or S411) (step S410). Inthis case, such a reception notification may be performed by using aconventional mail tool.

[0071] Further, it is needless to say that a broadcasting seriescommunication can be performed on the same network if a plurality ofclient IDs have been set in the comment marker at the transmission side.

[0072] Furthermore, if it is judged in the step S404 that the client hasnot been set by the comment marker, the delivery control is notperformed. Instead, like an ordinary reception operation, the receptionimage may be automatically output from the printer unit 115. Moreover,if the client has not been designated and also the manager has not beenset in the reception side, the reception image may be printed out.

[0073] The client (i.e., terminal) which received the receptionnotification mail sent in the step S410 fetches the image file from theserver machine 202 to display it on a display apparatus forconfirmation, or prints out the fetched image file on a recording paperby a printer or the printer unit 115 of the facsimile apparatus 201, sothat the client obtains the reception image. In this case, each of theplurality of image files which have been combined may be individuallydesignated to the output.

[0074] Subsequently, it will be explained an operation (to be referredas a series delivery control hereinafter) in a case where thecommunication data corresponding to the plurality of communicationreceived via the communication line 118 are collectively and directlydelivered to the same client on the LAN 117.

[0075]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process flow of such the seriesdelivery control. This flow chart represents a flow of control performedby the CPU 101 on the basis of the program stored in the ROM 102.

[0076] In FIG. 5, contents of steps S501 to S507 and S511 arerespectively the same as those of the steps S401 to S407 and S411,whereby the detailed description of these steps are omitted. However, inthe command data file, information such as address information fordirectly storing the series image file at a position corresponding to apredetermined address on the memory of the client machine on the LAN117. In case of sending the file, the address of each client is storedat the address to which the file is transmitted, and the address of thefacsimile apparatus 201 is stored at the address from which the file istransmitted. When formation of the series image file terminates for theall reception images within the image memory 104, the series image filescollectively combined for each address (i.e., address which was set inthe step S505 or S511) are delivered to the client machine correspondingto such the address after the reception notification (step S508).

[0077] Subsequently, it will be explained an operation in a case wherethe image data concerning the plurality of transmission requests arecollectively transmitted (i.e., in a series transmission manner) foreach client of the transmission destination when the transmission imagesent from the client (i.e., terminal) on the LAN 117 is transmitted viathe communication line 118.

[0078]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process flow of such a seriestransmission control. This flow chart represents a flow of controlperformed by the CPU 101 on the basis of the program stored in the ROM102.

[0079] Initially, in a step S601, it is judged whether or not the imagedata to be transmitted has been stored in the image memory 104. In thiscase, such a judgment is performed at a predetermined interval. Forexample, by observing elapsing of a predetermined time or a remainingcapacity of the image memory 104, the judgment is performed every timean observed quantity reaches a predetermined quantity or every timeimage transmission is received predetermined number of times and thereceived image is input in the image memory 104. Then, if it isrecognized that the transmission image has been stored in the imagememory 104, the flow advances to a step S602 to start the series controlof the transmission image.

[0080] Subsequently, in a step S603, the comment marker in thetransmission image data within the image memory 104 is analyzed. In thiscase, such analysis of the comment marker is the same as that previouslyexplained. Then, in a step S604, if it is judged there is designation ofthe client (i.e., client on the LAN in the partner's side) in thecomment marker, the flow advances to a step S605 to form a transmissionimage file independently for each address of the client. In this case,the transmission images concerning the plurality of transmissionrequests from the plurality of operators are sequentially combined withothers collectively for the same client's destination to form thetransmission image file. Then, in a step S606, the formed transmissionimage file is transferred to a storage area in the image memory 104which area is provided for each partner (i.e., telephone number ofpartner's communication apparatus connected to the communication line118). However, such the partner's telephone number is notified when thetransmission request is received from the client. Then, in a step S607,if it is judged that formation of the transmission image file for theall transmission image data in the image memory 104 terminates, the flowadvances to a step S608 to sequentially start transmission to thepartner on the basis of the partner's telephone number. In this case, itis notified that the series transmission was performed, to each clientof the partner and the client of the transmission source which performedthe transmission request. On the other hand, if it is judged in the stepS604 there is no designation of client, the transmission image file istransferred to the storage area in the image memory 104 to perform thetransmission based on the partner's telephone number. The transmissionin the step S608 is to sequentially transmit the transmission imagefiles which have been collectively combined with others for each clienton the destination in one communication for each partner (withoutdisconnecting the line on the way).

[0081] Finally, it will be explained the comment marker analysis controlin the steps S403, S503 and S603. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing aprocess flow of such the comment marker analysis control.

[0082] Initially, in a step S1301, it is judged whether or not the datahas been stored in the command byte of the comment marker in the JPEGdata stream. If the data has not been stored in the command byte, it isjudged that the address analysis is impossible. Then, in a step S1305,it is judged that the client has not been designated, and the addressanalysis control terminates.

[0083] If it is judged that the data has been stored in the commandbyte, the flow advances to a step S1302 to analyze the address dataincluded in such the data. In the present embodiment, since the addressanalysis accords to the TCP/IP protocol, two kinds of address data ofthe IP address and the MAC address are judged and the data structure ofthe respective address data are analyzed.

[0084] Subsequently, in a step S1303, it is judged whether or not theclient corresponding to the analyzed address exists on the LAN (i.e.,connected to the LAN). In the step S403, such judgment is performed byinquiring the server machine 202 of existence of the client. In the stepS503, such judgment is performed by previously registering the clientexisting on the LAN 117 into the RAM 103 and then searching the contentsthereof. In the step S603, such judgment is performed by previouslyregistering the client on the LAN for each partner into the RAM 103 andthen searching the contents thereof. Then, if it is judged that theclient exists on the LAN, the flow advances to a step S1304 to judgethere is client designation. On the other hand, if it is judged that theclient does not exist, the flow advances to the step S1305 to judge thatthere is no client designation.

[0085] In the present embodiment, it was explained as the example thestructure wherein the facsimile apparatus 201 is directly connected tothe LAN 117. However, the present invention is not limited to such thestructure. That is, for example, it may be applied structure wherein afacsimile server is connected to the LAN 117 and then the facsimileserver and the facsimile apparatus are connected with each other suchthat the above-described process program is installed in the facsimileserver to cause the server to control the delivery and the like. By suchthe structure, the facsimile apparatus can improve a throughput for thecommunication control via the communication line.

[0086] Further, it was explained the case where the mail notificationcontrol (steps S409 and S410) is performed by the facsimile apparatus201. However, for example, the server machine 202 may form thenotification mail by the application software to transmit it.

[0087] Furthermore, it was explained that the series image file based onthe received image data is sent to the server machine 202 (step S408).However, the present invention is not limited to such an operation. Thatis, the series image file may be stored in a memory of the terminalconnected to the LAN, a hard disk connected to the LAN, a hard diskconnected to the facsimile apparatus, or the like.

[0088] Furthermore, it was explained as the example that the protocol ofthe LAN accords to the TCP/IP. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. That is, a protocol may accord to IPX/SPX or the like.

[0089] Furthermore, it may be sent not only the notification mail forinforming that the reception was performed but also, e.g., an errornotification mail in a case where a communication error is generated.

[0090] Furthermore, the comment marker may include not only the addressdata but also other data, e.g., print request data and the like.

[0091] As explained above, according to the present embodiment, thereception notification can be performed at one time such that, fromamong the data received by the plurality of communications, the data tobe sent to the same client can be collectively delivered to such theclient. Further, the data can be collectively combined with others anddelivered at one time. Therefore, communication efficiency and the likecan be improved.

[0092] Furthermore, in a case where the data is transmitted to thepartner's communication apparatus connected to the LAN, all of the datacan be transmitted in one communication, and also these data for eachdestination client can be collectively transmitted. Therefore,communication efficiency and the like can be improved. Furthermore, evenif the reception side does not have any series delivery function, thedata can be transferred with collecting them for each client.

[0093] (Second Embodiment)

[0094] Hereinafter, it will be explained transmission and deliverymethods in a case where a BFT communication system is used.

[0095] The BFT communication system has been regulated based on ITURecommendations T.30 and T.464, and standardized as a method fordefining mutual connection and compatibility between different-kindsapparatuses in a wide range. Data in the BFT communication system hasstructure composed of an attribute portion and an image data portion,and also has structure composed of indication called as a tag andinformation representing its contents. In the data, attributeinformation and data information can be set. Further, in the BFTcommunication system, it can be used not only image data but also codedata.

[0096] Since structure of a facsimile apparatus according to the presentembodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, an explanationthereof is omitted. The facsimile apparatus according to the presentembodiment can transmit and receive (i.e., exchange) the data to andfrom a terminal on a LAN.

[0097]FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a communication protocol (viathe communication line 118) according to the present embodiment.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, a calling station can see by a proceduresignal NSF that a called station has a special function concerning thepresent embodiment, and also see by a DIS signal that the called stationutilizes the BFT communication system. Then, the calling stationnotifies the called station such that the called station executes thespecial function using the BFT communication system, by NSS and DCSsignals.

[0099] The calling station sends a command for designating a seriesdelivery to the called station, in accordance with a format based on theBFT communication system. Then, when the calling station receives an MCFsignal from the called station, the calling station transmits aplurality of documents as files for respective destinations.

[0100] On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, in a casewhere the called station does not have a series delivery controlfunction, the calling station transmits the plurality of documents as asingle file for each client.

[0101] FIGS. 15 to 17 are views for explaining structure of a data frameused in the BFT communication system (to be referred as BFTcommunication frame hereinafter).

[0102]FIG. 15 is the view showing the entirety of the BFT communicationframe, FIG. 16 is the view showing contents of symbols included in theBFT communication frame, and FIG. 17 is the view showing structure offile data.

[0103] A user name and ID (individual information such as IP address,MAC address and the like) of each client connected to the LAN, the imagedata and the like are classified by using the tags, and set in“contents” shown in FIG. 17.

[0104] Hereinafter, it will be explained an operation in a case wheredata concerning a plurality of transmission requests are collectivelytransmitted (i.e., in a series transmission) when the data sent from theclient (terminal) on the LAN 117 is transmitted via the communicationline 118.

[0105]FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process flow of a seriestransmission control using the BFT communication system. The flow chartrepresents a flow of control performed by the CPU 101 on the basis of aprogram stored in the ROM 102.

[0106] Initially, in a step S1801, it is judged whether or not the imagedata to be transmitted has been stored in the image memory 104. In thiscase such a judgment is performed at a predetermined interval. Forexample, by observing elapsing of a predetermined time or a remainingcapacity of the image memory 104, the judgment is performed every timean observed quantity reaches a predetermined quantity or every timeimage transmission is received predetermined number of times. Then, ifit is recognized that the transmission image has been stored in theimage memory 104, the flow advances to a step S1802 to start the seriescontrol of the transmission image.

[0107] Subsequently, in a step S1803, the data in the image memory 104is analyzed. That is, contents of the BFT data from are analyzed. Then,in a step S1804, if it is judged that a command for designatingrestructure is included in the contents, the flow advances to a stepS1805.

[0108] In the step S1805, the BFT data frame is divided into controlinformation (IP address or the like) and image information, and it isformed a transmission image file in which the control information andthe image information are in turn correlated each other by a framenumber or the ID. Then, in a step S1806, the transmission image file isstored in a storage area in the image memory 104 which area is providedfor each partner (i.e., telephone number of partner's apparatus via thecommunication line 118), with distinguishing the file into the controlinformation and the image information.

[0109] In a step S1807, it is judged whether or not the processterminates for all of the image files to be transmitted in the imagememory 104. If judged that the process terminates, the flow advances toa step S1808 to generate a call and transmit to the partner the data inthe image memory 104 as a BFT data format.

[0110] On the other hand, if there is no designation of restructure fromthe client in the step S1804, the data received from the client areserially stored in the storage area corresponding to the partner in theimage memory 104. Then, in the step S1808, the stored data istransmitted as the BFT data format. In this case, the transmission isdivisionally performed for each data, but the line is not disconnectedon the way.

[0111] As described above, the data concerning the plurality oftransmission requests from the one or more clients can be collectivelytransmitted. Further, by restructuring the data in such a manner as inthe steps S1805 and S1806, the reception side comes to be able to easilyperform a series notification control and series delivery control bothdescribed later.

[0112] Hereinafter, it will be explained the series notification controlin which the reception of the plurality of data is collectivelynotified, with reference to FIG. 19.

[0113]FIG. 19 represents a flow of control performed by the CPU 101 onthe basis of a program stored in the ROM 102.

[0114] Initially, in a step S1901, it is judged whether or not a seriescommand is received from the transmission side via the communicationline 118. Then, if received, the flow advances to a step S1902 to startthe series notification control.

[0115] In a step S1903, the received data is analyzed, and it is judgedin a step S1904 whether or not there is designation of client. If thereis the designation of client, the flow advances to a step S1905 to setthe IP address or the MAC address corresponding to the designatedclient. On the other hand, if there is no designation of client, theflow advances to a step S1911 to set an address of apreviously-registered manager. In this case, in the case where there isno designation of client, such a state is judged as an error state,whereby an error notification may be sent to the transmission source tocancel the reception image.

[0116] Subsequently, in a step S1906, it is formed an image file whichwas distinguished into each client.

[0117] The image file has structure according to the protocol of theconnected LAN. In the present embodiment, the image file has thestructure according to the TCP/IP protocol. The image file is composedof the MAC address, the IP header, the TCP header, the data portion andthe like. The data portion corresponds to an application layer. In thepresent embodiment, in order to store the delivered image data at aposition corresponding to the designated address on the memory of thefile server, there are transmitted two files, i.e., a command data filefor storing information such as the designated address and an image datafile for storing the received image data. When the file server storesthe data at the predetermined position, the file server comes to be anactive state by the application software installed in the file server onthe basis of the information of the command file, and the data of thereceived image data file is stored at the predetermined position on thememory. In this case, the address of the client of the transmissiondestination corresponds to the address of the file server storing thedata. Further, the data is stored with correlating the telephone numberof the transmission source and its address each other.

[0118] Then, in a step S1907, if it is judged that the process for thereceived image file terminates as a whole, the flow advances to a stepS1908 to transfer the image file to the file server (i.e., servermachine 202) and cause the file server to store the file in such amanner as described above.

[0119] Subsequently, in a step S1909, it is formed a receptionnotification mail for notifying the set client of the data reception. Inthis case, the formed reception notification mail includes message fornotifying of the data reception, a reception time for each file,partner's information, the number of reception pages and the like.

[0120] In a step S1910, the single reception notification mailrepresenting the information corresponding to the plurality of files istransmitted to the designated client.

[0121] The client who received the reception notification mail in such amanner as above can receive all the reception data collectively ifnecessary, or can receive the image data by designating the necessaryfile.

[0122] If there is no designation of client in the step S1904, the imagemay be printed out by the printer 115.

[0123] Subsequently, it will be explained hereinafter an operation(i.e., series delivery control) in a case where the image data whichcorrespond to the plurality of files and were received via thecommunication line 118 are collectively delivered to the client on theLAN 117.

[0124]FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a process flow of such the seriesdelivery control. This flow chart represents a flow of control performedby the CPU 101 on the basis of a program stored in the ROM 102.

[0125] Contents of steps S2001 to S2007 and S2011 are substantially thesame as those of the steps S1901 to S1907 and S1911, whereby thedetailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0126] In a step S2008, the plurality of image files are collectivelydelivered to each designated client. Then, if the image file can benormally delivered to the client, such the image file in the imagememory 104 is deleted.

[0127] On the other hand, if the image file can not be normallydelivered, such the image file is printed out by the printer 115 ordelivered to other client.

[0128] As described above, by cancelling the plurality of files intoeach client and collectively delivering them, traffic on the LAN can bereduced, and further interruption of client's work can be minimized.

[0129] In this case, as a method for judging whether the designatedclient exits, there are provided a method for inquiring of the servermachine 202 about existence of client's address, a method forregistering the previously-existing address in the RAM 103 in thefacsimile apparatus 201, and the like. In the present embodiment, theMAC address is judged by inquiring of the server machine 202, and the IPaddress is judged by referring an IP address table which stores thereinthe IP address which has been previously registered in the RAM 103.

[0130] In a case where the address on the LAN is not set, on in a casewhere the set address does not exist, coincidence detection of pseudoaddress data is performed. Such the coincidence detection of pseudoaddress data is performed by searching a pseudo address data table whichhas been previously registered in the RAM 103 within the facsimileapparatus 201. In the present embodiment, the pseudo address data tablestores therein the pseudo address data and a mail name which is theaddress data on the LAN. In the pseudo address data table, the pluralityof mail names can be registered, and all the equipments connected to theLAN can be registered.

[0131] If the coincidence detection is performed, the address analysiscontrol terminates. On the other hand, if the coincidence detection isnot performed, the address analysis is judged to the impossible and thenthe analysis control terminates.

[0132] In the above description, as the facsimile apparatus 201, theapparatus of a type which is directly connected to the LAN was used.However, the present invention is not limited to such the type.

[0133] For example, a facsimile apparatus of a type which is connectedto the terminal on the LAN may be used, so as to cause the terminal towhich the facsimile apparatus is connected to operate as the facsimileserver for controlling and managing the facsimile apparatus.

[0134] In this case, by collectively sending the reception images to thefacsimile server to which the facsimile apparatus 201 is connected, thefacsimile server transmits the information such as the address data ofthe series delivery destination stored in a BFT frame or the like, thecommunication information in the reception, and the like, to the servermachine 202 in accordance with a predetermined format. Based on suchdata, the file server forms the reception notification mail inaccordance with the protocol of the connected LAN, and then transfersthe formed mail. such operations are controlled based on the applicationsoftware of the facsimile server (i.e., terminal) to which the facsimileapparatus is connected.

[0135] Further, in the above explanation, the reception notificationcontrol was performed by the facsimile apparatus 201. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be took anoperation that destination information for transmitting the mail and thecommand file in which the message information is stored in the mail aretransmitted to the terminal such as the server machine 202 or the like,and the notification mail is automatically formed by the applicationsoftware in the terminal to transmit it.

[0136] Furthermore, the reception image was stored in the memory of theserver machine 202. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, the reception image may be stored in a hard diskconnected to the LAN or a memory in a terminal equipment connected tothe LAN.

[0137] Furthermore, the protocol of the LAN is not limited to the TCP/IPprotocol, but may be an IPX/SPX protocol or the like.

[0138] Furthermore, the notification mail for notifying of the result inthe reception operation is not limited to the above-described type, butmay be, e.g., a notification mail which is transmitted only in a casewhere the communication failed.

[0139] Furthermore, the address analysis control is not limited to theabove-described type, but may be performed by, e.g., a command dataanalysis unit for analyzing command data representing an address typeand an object of use.

[0140] According to the above-described embodiments, the transmissiondata concerning the transmission requests from the clients on the LANcan be collectively transmitted to the same destination (i.e., telephonenumber) by using the BFT data format. In this case, by transmitting thedata after restructuring it with distinguishing the control informationfrom the image information, the file management and the delivery controlin the reception side become more easy.

[0141] Furthermore, in the case where the plurality of image files arereceived, the plurality of reception notifications and the plurality ofreception data deliveries can be collectively performed, wherebycommunication efficiency can be improved.

[0142] The present invention can be applied to a system constructed by aplurality of equipments (e.g., host computer, interface equipment,reader, printer and the like) or can be also applied to an apparatuscomprising one equipment (e.g., copy machine, facsimile machine).

[0143] The invention employed by a method whereby program codes of asoftware to realize the functions of the foregoing embodiments aresupplied to a computer in an apparatus or a system connected to variousdevices so as to make the devices operative in order to realize thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments and the various devices areoperated in accordance with the program stored in the computer (CPU orMPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of thepresent invention.

[0144] In such a case, the program codes themselves of the softwarerealize the functions of the foregoing embodiments and the program codesthemselves and means for supplying the program codes to the computer,for example, a memory medium in which the program codes have been storedconstruct the present invention.

[0145] As such a memory medium to store the program codes, for example,it is possible to use a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, anoptomagnetic disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memorycard, a ROM or the like can be used.

[0146] It will be obviously understood that the program codes areincluded in the embodiments of the present invention even in not only acase where the functions of the foregoing embodiments are realized byexecuting the supplied program codes by the computer but also a casewhere the functions of the foregoing embodiments are realized incooperation with the OS (operating system) by which the program codesoperate in the computer or another application software or the like.

[0147] Further, it will be also obviously understood that the presentinvention also incorporates a case where the supplied program codes arestored into a memory provided for a function expansion board of acomputer or a function expansion unit connected to a computer and, afterthat, a CPU or the like provided for the function expansion board or thefunction expansion unit executes a part or all of the actual processeson the basis of instructions of the program codes, and the functions ofthe foregoing embodiments are realized by the processes.

[0148] According to such the first and second embodiments as explainedabove, the plurality of data receptions can be notified to the receiveron the LAN by one-time notification.

[0149] Further the reception data corresponding to the plurality of datareceptions can be delivered to the receiver on the LAN at one time.

[0150] Furthermore, in the case where the data is sent to the partner'sapparatus connected to the LAN, the data which concern the plurality oftransmission requests and are to be sent to the same receiver can betransmitted at one time.

[0151] Therefore, communication efficiency, process efficiency and thelike can be improved.

[0152] Although the present invention has been described above withrespect to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is notlimited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications andvariations are possible with the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data communication apparatus comprising:interface means for connecting with a local area network (LAN);reception means for receiving data from a transmission side;notification means for notifying to a receiver on the LAN that saidreception means received the data, via said interface means; andmanagement means for managing the data received by said reception means,for each notification destination to which the notification is performedby said notification means, wherein said management means manages thereception data corresponding to the plural-time reception by saidreception means, and said notification means collectively notifies thatthe reception data corresponding to the plural-time reception which dataare managed by said management means were received by said receptionmeans.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprisingdetection means for detecting receiver designation information from thetransmission side, and wherein said notification means performs thenotification to the receiver who is based on the information detected bysaid detection means.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , furthercomprising judgment means for judging whether or not the receiver who isbased on the information detected by said detection means exists on theLAN, and wherein said notification means performs the notification to apredetermined receiver in a case where it is judged by said judgmentmeans that the receiver who is based on the information detected by saiddetection means does not exist on the LAN.
 4. An apparatus according toclaim 1 , wherein said notification means notifies a reception time ofeach reception by said reception means.
 5. A data communicationapparatus comprising: interface means for connecting with a local areanetwork (LAN); reception means for receiving a transmission request froma client on the LAN, via said interface means; management means formanaging data which is based on the transmission request received bysaid reception means, for each destination; and transmission means forcollectively transmitting the data which are based on the plurality oftransmission requests managed by said management means.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 5 , wherein the transmission request received by saidreception means includes control information and image information. 7.An apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising file formationmeans for forming a file of the data based on the plurality oftransmission requests, with distinguishing the control information fromthe image information for each data.
 8. A data communication apparatuscomprising; interface means for connecting with a local area network(LAN); reception means for receiving data from a transmission side;delivery means for delivering the data received by said reception meansto a receiver on the LAN via said interface means; and management meansfor managing the data received by said reception means, for eachreceiver to which the delivery should be performed by said deliverymeans, wherein said management means manages the reception datacorresponding to the plural-time reception by said reception means, andsaid delivery means delivers at one time the reception datacorresponding to the plural-time reception which data are managed bysaid management means.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , furthercomprising detection means for detecting receiver designationinformation from the transmission side, and wherein said delivery meansperforms the delivery to the receiver who is based on the informationdetected by said detection means.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising judgment means for judging whether or not thereceiver who is based on the information detected by said detectionmeans exists on the LAN, and wherein said delivery means performs thedelivery to a predetermined receiver in a case where it is judged bysaid judgment means that the receiver who is based on the informationdetected by said detection means does not exist on the LAN.
 11. A datacommunication apparatus comprising: input means for inputting aplurality of data including information for designating a receiver;detection means for detecting the information for designating thereceiver which information is included in the data input by said inputmeans; sort means for sorting the data in accordance with a detectionresult by said detection means; and transmission means for collectivelytransmitting the data sorted by said sort means.
 12. An apparatusaccording to claim 11 , further: comprising interface means forconnecting to a local area network (LAN), and wherein said input meansinputs the data via said interface means.
 13. An apparatus according toclaim 11 , further comprising management means for managing the datainput by said input means, for each destination station, and whereinsaid detection means detects the information for designating thereceiver, included in the data managed by said management means.
 14. Adata communication method for exchanging data between a local areanetwork (LAN) and a communication line other than the LAN, said methodcomprising: a reception step of receiving the data from a transmissionside via the communication line; a notification step of notifying to areceiver on the LAN that the data was received in said reception step;and a management step of managing the data received in said receptionstep, for each receiver to which the notification should be performed insaid notification step, wherein, in said management step, the receptiondata corresponding to the plural-time reception in said reception stepare managed, and in said notification step, it is collectively notifiedthat the plural-time reception were performed in said reception step.15. A data communication method for exchanging data between a local areanetwork (LAN) and a communication line other than the LAN, said methodcomprising: a reception step of receiving a transmission request from aclient on the LAN; a management step of managing the data based on thetransmission request received in said reception step, for eachdestination; and a transmission step of collectively transmitting thedata based on the plurality of transmission requests managed in saidmanagement step, via the communication line.
 16. A data communicationmethod for exchanging data between a local area network (LAN) and acommunication line other than the LAN, said method comprising: areception step of receiving the data from a transmission side, via thecommunication line; a delivery step of delivering the data received insaid reception step to a receiver on the LAN; and a management step ofmanaging the plurality of data received in said reception step, for eachreceiver to which the delivery should be performed in said deliverystep, wherein, in said delivery step, the plurality of reception datamanaged in said management step are collectively delivered.
 17. A datacommunication method comprising: an input step of inputting a pluralityof data including information for designating a receiver; a detectionstep of detecting the information for designating the receiver, whichinformation is included in the data input in said input step; a sortstep of sorting the data in accordance with a detection result in saiddetection step; and a transmission step of collectively transmitting thedata sorted in said sort step.
 18. A computer readable programcomprising; a reception step of receiving data from a transmission sidevia a communication line; a notification step of notifying to a receiveron a local area network (LAN) that the data was received in saidreception step; and a management step of managing the data received insaid reception step, for each receiver to which the notification shouldbe performed in said notification step, wherein, in said managementstep, the reception data corresponding to the plural-time reception insaid reception step are managed, and in said notification step, it iscollectively notified that the plural-time reception were performed insaid reception step.
 19. A computer readable program comprising: areception step of receiving a transmission request from a client on alocal area network (LAN); a management step of managing data based onthe transmission request received in said reception step, for eachdestination; and a transmission step of collectively transmitting thedata based on the plurality of transmission requests managed in saidmanagement step, via a communication line.
 20. A computer readableprogram comprising: a reception step of receiving data from atransmission side, via a communication line; a delivery step ofdelivering the data received in said reception step to a receiver on alocal area network (LAN); and a management step of managing theplurality of data received in said reception step, for each receiver towhich the delivery should be performed in said delivery step, wherein,in said delivery step, the plurality of reception data managed in saidmanagement step are collectively delivered.
 21. A computer readableprogram comprising: an input step of inputting a plurality of dataincluding information for designating a receiver; a detection step ofdetecting the information for designating the receiver, whichinformation is included in the data input in said input step; a sortstep of sorting the data in accordance with a detection result in saiddetection step; and a transmission step of collectively transmitting thedata sorted in said sort step.